Your Morning Dump… Where the ’08 championship is holding up the Love trade

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Two league sources told CBSSports.com this week that Taylor remains hesitant to trade Love, still stung by the aftermath of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston in 2007. The team has won more than 30 games only twice in the seven seasons since.

“I don’t think Glen Taylor wants to do the deal,” one of the people familiar with the discussions said.

This explains why the Celtics talks with Minnesota ended up like all of Chuck’s dates until he was 25… tantalizingly close but never consummated.

Glen Taylor may eventually have to face the music and realize that Love is gone after this season, but he sure as hell doesn’t want to watch another star go to Boston and win a title… and I’m sure the idea of sending him to Cleveland to make the Cavs the next super-team isn’t exactly palatable either.

That, though, is bad ownership. Taylor needs to step back and let his executives do the work they need to do. Actually, he needs to hire executives capable of doing the work that needs to be done… THEN he needs to let them do the work they need to do. Regardless, he needs to understand that if he’s not winning a championship during (another) rebuilding process, it doesn’t matter who does.

I know fans aren’t thrilled with LeBron going to the Cavs, or the fact that the Celtics helped facilitate that with the Zeller/Thornton trade, but it just doesn’t matter what LeBron does as the Celtics rebuild. All that matters is that the Celtics acquire solid talent to improve the roster either by playing for the Celtics, or being part of a trade that helps the Celtics down the road.

Bottom line: If you’re committed to a rebuilding process, you execute that plan with little regard for your surroundings, because it doesn’t matter who wins the title while you’re in that process. The second you worry about other teams as an executive or an owner, yours will go to shit.

And we wonder why Minnesota can’t get out of its own way? I know that 7 years ago today, we were celebrating the Garnett trade in Boston, but Taylor’s gotta get that image out of his head and build his own team.

Tell you what, Glen. How about a do-over? You send Love to Boston, and you try to build your team the right way this time. Deal?

Page 2: Phil Pressey wants to be in the dunk contest

Phil Pressey answered some of your Twitter questions for Celtics.com, and right off the bat he says he’d like to participate in the dunk contest. Personally, I’d like to see it too. We’ve seen him dunk a couple of times last season, and it’s not like he can’t put on a show:

And we know how much the judges like short guys dunking. I say we start the movement: #LetPhilDunk!

It’d be nice to see a Celtic win something next year.

Oh, but the dunk thing isn’t the most shocking part of that video. The most shocking part is Phil’s declaration that Gerald Wallace is the funniest guy in the locker room.

“Fans see Gerald Wallace as a kind of quiet, mean grungy dude. We see him as like a goofball, he’s always joking around.”

I always laugh at the articles I can tell John wrote just by reading them.

Diego Salcedo

That’s why I’m very thankful for Danny and Wyc. Danny will always prioritize the team, even if doing so would help a rival team become contenders (helping the Cavs clear cap space to re-sign Lebron) and Wyc always gives his full support to the team.

NE_Celt

I agree…Minnesota needs to send us Love and Pressey needs to dunk…

“Expect a lawsuit from Chuck… he’s had his twitter handle tattooed on his balls for a year.”…one of the many comments that make me love this site…bravo good sir…keep up the great articles.

Amir Buxbaum

Talking about the Garnett trade reminds me of how excited I was 7 years ago.
How I wish this excitement will return soon.

Mike

Anyone interested in Greg Monroe from Detroit? Detroit is open to Sign and Trades for him now. And if he is a good option….. do you think Him and Josh Smith would be a nice pairing for Rondo? Cuz I know Detroit would like to unload Smith’s salary too. I would think if detroit would take back Gerald Wallace’s contract at least…. then Josh Smith would be fine.

bill_nair

I like the idea of gettin both Monroe and Smith better than acquiring either one alone. Smith could help cover Monroe’s deficiencies on defense and get him back to his true position. I’d rather roll with KO and Sully at this point though.

Richard Jensen

I don’t think Stan’s going to make that kind of move. He’ll trade Monroe if they can’t sign him because that’s the smart thing to do. I don’t think he’s going to trade both Smith & Monroe to the Celtics.

I think Stan would only trade Smith if he got an offer he couldn’t refuse, and we know Danny’s not in the habit of overpaying for other players.

adam

send them bass, green, bogarts, and the clippers draft pick!

tvor03

How much is he worth? what does Detroit need/want?

There’s no way they give up both Smith and Monroe. Their problem is they have three people for two positions. They only need to give up one to fix the problem, not two.

Mike

So how about just Monroe? I think he probably wants anywhere between $8-12M/yr. Would it be good to just get Monroe for now? Who would we send to Detroit? Like others have said…. what do we think Detroit would be looking for? expiring bogans? 1st round pick? shooter like thornton?

RedsLoveChild

Hell, no….Smith & Monroe are two overrated, lazy ass losers!

They teamed up last year, both stayed healthy, and led Detroit to a 29-53 train wreck of a season. What would make you think their loser mentality would suddenly change once they arrive in Boston?

adam

Am I the only one that thinks Cleveland is stupid to give up both number ones when there is a chance Love could come next season in free agency?

Richard Jensen

No. I agree that trade’s a bit one-sided, but for somewhat different reasons.

You figure that you’re going to be picking late in the 1st if you’ve got LeBron. So, if you trade one or two first round picks, and Bennett AND Wiggins, well you’ve just sent a whole bunch of your future for what is more or less a win-now player.

In three/four years when Love is in his prime and LeBron is starting to fade (probably) you’ll be looking at an empty cupboard. The way the new CBA works, it’s dang hard to fill out your roster w/free agents once you’re at or near the tax line.